High-potential electric switch



Nov. 29, 1949 L. J. LINDE HIGH-POTENTIAL ELEQTRIC SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed sept. 1o, 1947 .mmv/2me. eo/zam? d. Linde /zs dife/'migA Nov.29, 1949 l.. J. LINDE HIGH-POTENTIAL ELECTRIC SWITCH 3 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed Sept. l0, u1.94"/

NVZE'NZZ'QZR. ard J [inde [ebiz @Y his' Cziiorney Patented Nov. 29, 1949HIGH-POTENTIAL ELECTRIC SWITCH Leonard J. Linde, Centralia, Mo.,assignor to A. B. Chance Company, Centralia, Mo., a corporation ofMissouri Application September 10, 1947, Serial No. 773,145

4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to electric switches, and is particularlyconcerned with pole type gang operated switches of the type covered byPatent No. 1,907,141, issued to A. J. Bowie May 2, 1933.

The present invention relates to improvements in the Bowie switch, andis particularly7 concerned with the simplification of the structure andreduction of the cost of manufacture of such switches.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improvedswitch of the rocker shaft type, in which the square operating shaftneed not be concentric with the main bearing of the toggle so that thebearing itself need not surround the shaft, and so that it is notnecessary to use costly and elaborate anti-friction bearings and greaseseals.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved designof rocker shaft switch which is simpler in structure and capable ofbeing manufactured at a lower cost, and which maintains all of theadvantages of the on center toggle arrangement, but in which the squareoperating shaft is shifted from a concentric position to an 01T centerposition, permitting the use of relatively small and inexpensiveself-lubricated bearings.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved rockershaft switch in which the shaft is clamped rigidly to the toggle leverand in which it is loaded in torsion and made more rigid by the factthat the shaft is also loaded in bending strain.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved gangswitch of the rocker shaft type, which is particularly constructed toinsure correct contact between the blades and clips, to operate withoutdamage, slammingj or hammer blows in closing, and to provide ample powerto operate the movable switch parts after the contacts have becomecorroded and tend to stick from long periods of disuse, withoutrequiring too great effort by the operator.

Another object is to provide an improved switch of the rocker shaft typewhich provides for misalignment of the poles and also provides fordeviations of the rocker shaft from a straight line.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which similarcharacters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are two sheets,

I nism, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig.

1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken on the plane of the line3--3 of Fig. 1, showing the universal connection between separateoperating shafts in the mechanism, on a slightly larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational View, showing the operatingmechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary top plan view, showing the engaging contacts ofthe switch.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a modified form ofconnecting linkage between the switch blades and the actuating shaft.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, Ill indicates in its entirety the rockershaft switch assembly, which may be mounted upon any suitable base II,such as a channelled metal member. The principal parts of the switchcomprise the xed contact I2 suitably supported by means of an insulatorI3 and the movable contact Il! movably supported by means of aninsulator I5, and the operating mechanism indicated in its entirety bythe numeral I6.

The xed contact insulator I3 is preferably supported upon a sub-basemember I'I, which is secured by means of bolts I8 to the base II andbolts I9 to the insulator supporting member 2U.

Various types of porcelain insulators I3 may be employed, and thatillustrated is merely by way of example. This insulator supports a metalconnector plate 2I, which carries the Xed contact I2, a fixed arcinghorn 22, and bolts 2 3 for connection to the line.

Referring to Fig. 5, the xed contact carried by plate ZI is preferablysubstantially rectangular in elevation, and comprises a member made ofsuitable conducting metal, such as copper, having its end beveled onboth sides, as indicated at24, and also beveled at each end, asindicated at 25.

These beveled surfaces 2li, 25 serve to insure the guiding of themovable contact member I4 over and into contacting engagement with thefixed contact I2.

One example of the movable contact structure is shown also in Fig. 5;and this structure is supported by means of a suitable bracket 26 on themovable insulator I5. The bracket 26 has a diagonally and upwardlyprojecting arm 2`I, which is provided with a slot 28 separating a pairof channelled legs 29, 3i). rIhe channelled legs 29, 30 have theirchannels inwardly open toward each other, and they are adapted toreceive the two legs of a U-shaped metal member 3l, which is secured inthe channels by means of bolts 32.

The U-shaped metal member 3l is provided with aligned apertures for theparallel bolts 33, 34, which extend from one leg to the other leg of theU-shaped member 3| and provide support for the contacts 35, whichactually engage the fixed contact l2.

Each contact 35 comprises an elongated strip of highly conductive metalhaving pairs 'of ape'r tures for slidable mounting on the bolts 33', 34.The contacts 35 are resilient metal-strips and extend inwardly beyondthe bolts 34 to be secured by means of rivets 35 to the twin conductivecables 3l, preferably of the braided type.

The contacts 35 are spaced from each other at their ends by spacers 38on the bolts 33, 34,

the spacers being only slightly shorter than the thickness of the fixedcontact l2. Each Contact 35 is also preferably provided with a pair ofpartially spherical headed rivets V39 on its outer side for engaging aslidable metal plate 40 that is also slidably mounted on the bolts 33,34.

The plates 48 are urged inward by the leaf springs 4l, which are bowedto engage plate 40 at each end of the spring and to engage U-shapedmember 3| intermediate the ends of the spring. Thus the contacts 35 arespring urged against the 'fixed contact l2, and are self-aligning byvirtue of their mounting upon the bolts 33, 34 with enlarged aperturesso that full contact is secured between the full engaging areasof thecontact 35 and xed contact I2.

The movable insulator i is carried by a metal supporting members '42,which has its lower ange 43 secured by bolts 44 to the flange 45 of apivot bracket 46. The pivot bracket 46 has a depending arm 4i' with anaperture for receiving the shaft 48 close to the ange 45 and anotheraperture for receiving the shaft 49 by means of which it is actuated.

The shafts 48, 49 may be secured in place by cotter pins at each end.The shaft 48 issup- ,ported in an aperture in the upstanding column '58of a fixed pivot bracket 5I, which is carried by the base ll. Thus themovable insulator l5 is pivotally mounted on the shaft 48 and adapted tobe actuated by a mechanism applied to the shaft 49.

A bumper bracket 52 is secured between the base of the fixed pivotbracket 5I and the base Il by means of bolts 53. This bumper bracketcomprises a strip of metal having an upwardly turned end portion 54 withan enlarged or oval .aperture for passing the connecting rod 55.

The aperture 56 permits lateral as well as axial movement of theconnecting rod 55. The connecting rod 55 is provided with an enlargedend l5l having an aperture providing a bearing for the shaft 49. It isalso provided with a pair of apertures at the right of the bumperbracket 52 for receiving the xed pins 58, 59 which provide stops for thewashers Ell for engaging a helical compression spring 6I.

The pin 58 is adapted to pass through the aperture 56 in the bumperbracket 52 so that when the switch is opened, washer 6U on the left endof the spring '6I engages the bumper bracket 52, so that the spring 6lis compressed and the shock of opening the switch is absorbed before themovable insulator I5 is brought to a stop at the dotted line position ofFig. 1. At its left end the connecting rod 55 is threaded-into 9. Theshafts 81 and' 54 are at right angles to each other so that the yoke 85provides a universal connection between the connecting rod and thetoggle link or -crank 69. All of the shafts employed may be providedwith apertures and cotter pins at their ends to hold them in place. Thetoggle link 59 comprises a metal member having its end portion 98provided with an aperture for the shaft assembly B1 and having at itsopposite end another aperture for receiving the shaft assembly 78.

Intermediate its ends the toggle link 69 ris provided with anenlargement having a noncircular or square aperture H, the square beingbordered by'iianges which terminate in a pair of diagonally extendingclamping flanges 12,

The clamping flanges 'i2 have the aligned apertures "I3 for receivingthe clamping bolt 14 by means of which the toggle link 69 is clampedupon the square shaft '15. The shaft assemblies 61 and 18, which receivethe maximum amount of use, preferably include self-lubricating bearingsleeves surrounding the shafts inside the apertures of the members thatare pivotally mounted on the shafts.

The same is true o-f the shafts 48 and 49; and thecotter pins, which areused for thrust members at the ends of the shafts, :are preferablylocated in grooves 'la provided in a tubular projection 'l1 at the endof each shaft. Thus the cotter pins not only prevent the shaft frommoving axially, but they prevent the shaft from turning so that thebearing bushing may turn on the shaft, which is preferably made ofsuitable steel to provide a better bearing surface.

The operating shaft 'l5 may in some embodiments of the inventioncomprise a single length extending through three such toggle links-69and actuating simultaneously all of the three toggle links with asimilar mechanism in each-case.

'In such lease a single toggle link bearing bracket 18 is employed foreach mechanism. Such .a bearing bracket comprises a U-shaped `uppermember T9 with a pair of apertures for-receiving the shaft 1B. TheU-shaped upper portion 19 has its base 88 provided with a dependingsecuring bolt 8l having a threaded end portion for receiving the nut 82and a suitable lock nut.

Thus the toggle link bearing bracket T8 may be xedly secured on the baseif in substantial alignment with similar toggle link bearingbrackets on-the other bases Ha and IIb. .The shaft `may project beyond theoperating mechanism at either end, such as the top, in Fig. 2, where itis provided with a through aperture for xedly receiving an operatinghandle comprisinga'rod 83 bymeans of which the shaft may be turned.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. v2 and 3, special provision ismade for taking care -of misalignment of the toggle link bearingbrackets "t0 Afljflat, and 18h. In such case the shaft 15 may ,consist`of a pair of sections 15a, and 15b; and the vtogglelink bearing bracket18a, may be of greater width so as to provide room for a universalconnecting mechanism `84 between the shaftisections 15a and 15b.

In addition to the toggle link 69a, which is employed upon the centralmechanism, and which is clamped on the upper end in Fig. 2 of shaftsection 15b, there is another similar clamping member 59e having noconnection to the operating mechanism, but clamping the lower end ofshaft section 15a and providing for its pivotal support upon the shaft85 carried by toggle link supporting bracket 18a.

The universal connecting mechanism 84 is shown in greater detail in Fig.3. It comprises two members 69a and 69e, similar in construction to thetoggle link 69 previously described in that each has a square aperturefor the shaft 15a and 75h. Each has the diagonally projecting anges 'ldor 12e which are clamped together on the square shaft by a bolt 14a or14e. Each has the downwardly projecting portion 85a or 86o provided withan aperture Bla and 81e for receiving the shaft a.

A spacer 88 keeps the portions 86a and 86e in properly spaced positionon the shaft 19a. rlihus the members 69a and 69e are pivotally mountedon the shaft 10a, and each is clamped to its shaft section b or 15a.

The diagonally extending flanges which receive the bolts Ma and 14o arein this case modified to provide a universal connection between the twoshaft sections 15a and i511. For example, the anges `l2a and 12e. mayhave laterally extending portions 39 spaced by a slot or groove 90 forreceiving a laterally projecting portion 9| carried by one of theflanges 12e.

The laterally projecting portion 9| has an offset to bring the flangeinto central position in the groove or slot 99. When the upper shaftsection 72a (Fig. 2) is turned, the ange 9i engaging between flanges 89turns the lower shaft section i519 of Fig. 2; but due to this universalconnection assembly B4 the misalignment of the two shaft portions l5aand 15b is permitted.

Referring to Fig. 6, this is a fragmentary side elevational view of theactuating mechanism, in which the toggle link or crank 69 is of adifferent form. Instead of the toggle link 69a being slotted andseparated at one side only, it comprises two pieces 59h and 89e secured,together by two clamping bolts 'Ma and 14h. The bolt 'l4 passes througha pair of clamping flanges 12a, while bolt 'Mb passes through a clampingfiange 12b and is threaded into a bore in the part 69h.

The operation of the switch is as follows: When the parts are in theposition of Fig. 1, with the handle 83 extending toward the right, theline of centers of the shaft 61 and shaft 49 is such that the axis ofthe shaft 61 is below this line of centers or substantially in alignmentwith the line of centers.

In this position a pull on the lever 83 toward the left is adapted toexert a maximum force on the connecting rod 55 because of the relativelysmall radius at which the pull is exerted by lever 83 on the shafts 'l5and on connecting rod 55.

Sufficient power is provided to break the engagement between corrodedcontacts l2 and i4 after long periods of disuse. As the lever 83progresses toward the left, however, shaft 61 rises, and the radius ofoperation between shafts 61 and 'i9 becomes longer so that less powerand more movement is provided for movement of the switch arm i4, whichis quickly lifted from the full line position of Fig. l to the dottedline position.

The movable switch arm assembly, comprising the insulator I5 and switcharm I4, passes over a central vertical position to the dotted lineposition in Fig. 1, where gravity urges it downward to the open positionand holds it in the open position.

When the switch arm is moved to the open position, the connecting rod 55moves to the left in Fig. 1 until the left washer 60 engages bumperbracket 52 and spring 6I is compressed to absorb the shock of theopening of the switch. With the present structure it is no longernecessary to use complicated anti-friction bearings of size large enoughto embrace the square rocker shaft l5. Instead, the smaller shafts 19,61, 49, and 48 may be provided with bearing bushings of theself-lubricating type, which are relatively small and inexpensive.

In addition to the shaft 15 or its sections being subjected to torsion,they are also subjected to bending strains; and these combined stressesincrease the rigidity of the assembly The present switch is alsopreferably provided with a cable connection 92 between the bases 20 andi2 of the insulators; and it is also preferably provided with a pair oflinks 93, 94 pivotally connected to each other at 95 for supporting thetwin cables 3l, which lead to the movable contact I4.

The link 93 is pivotally connected to the vInovable contact bracket 26at 96; and link 94 is pivotally connected to a fixed support 91 for aconnector, by means of shaft or pin 98. The connector 99 is connected tothe line on the right hand side of the switch.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved gang switchassembly in which the heavy noncircular actuating shaft need not besupported by bearings which embrace it; but the shaft is supported bymeans of toggle links which themselves are pivotally mounted uponbrackets so that the shaft is eccentric.

The present switch structure is simpler and may be manufactured moreeconomically than the devices of the prior art; but it retains all ofthe advantages of the gang switch shown in the above-mentioned patent toBowie, upon which it is an improvement.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, manymodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details ofconstruction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes withinthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. In a switch operating mechanism, the combination of a supporting basewith a pivot bracket carried by said base and having upwardly projectingspaced pivot flanges, an insulator carried by a depending metalinsulator support, said support being pivotally mounted between saidflanges and having an actuating arm depending between said flanges, aconnecting rod pivotally connected to said actuating arm and having athreaded end, a universal joint assembly having a bore for said threadedend, said assembly being pivotally connected to a shaft supportingmember, a movable contact arm fixedly secured to said first-mentionedinsulator, a fixed Contact carried by a second insulator xediy mountedon said base, a second pivot bracket carried by said base between saidinsulators, said shaft supporting member being pivotally mounted on saidsecond pivot bracket and having an arm extending radially for pivotalconnection to said universal joint assembly, said latter pivotalconnection passing dead-center fbetweenfsaidconnecting rod-andthepivot-of said shaft'supporting member Lwhen-said contacts are closed,said shaft supporting member having-a noncircular through bore boundedvon one side by spaced flanges, an independent -shaft in said bore,ithreaded Ameans for drawing said spaced flanges together to secure-said shaft in said shaft supporting member, and manual means forrotating saidshafteccentrically with respect tothe pivot ofsaid shaftsupportingmember to exert-aimaximum forcein the'initia'lopening of thecontacts and to produce maximum movement thereafter inthe opening ofsaid contacts.

2. In a switch operating mechanism, thecombinationofa supporting basewith a-pivotbracket carried by-said base and `having upwardly projectingspaced p'ivot flanges, an insulator 4carried by a depending metalinsulator supportysaid support being pivotally mounted between saidflanges and having an actuating arm'depending between -said flanges, aconnecting rod pivotaily connected to said actuating arm and having athreaded fend, a :universal joint assembly having a bore'for -saidthreaded end, said assembly bef.

ing pivotally connected to a 'shaft supporting member, a movable contactarm fixedly secured to said first-mentioned insulator, a fixed-contactcarried by -a second insulator xedly mounted on said base, a secondpivot Abracket carriedby said base between said insulators,said-shaftsupporting member being -pivotally mounted-on said secondpivot bracketvand having anarm extending radially foi-1pivotalfconnection to said universal joint assembly, said latter pivotalconnection passing dead-center between said Aconnectingrod andthepivotof said shaft supporting member when said contacts vare closed,said shaft supporting ymember 'having a noncircular through 'borebounded on one side '-by spaced flanges, an independent .shaft in saidlbore, `threaded means'for drawing said spaced flanges together tosecure vsaid shaft ,in said shaft supporting member, and manual means'forzrotating said shaft eccentrically-with respect to the pivot offsaidshaft supporting member toexerta maximum force in theinitialopeningof'the contacts and to 'produce maximum movementthereafter inthe openingof saidcontacts, vand-*a plurality `of similar.insulators and contacts .and similar switch operating mechanismconnected to the same shaft to be actuated simultaneously thereby.

3. In a switch operating mechanism, Athefcornbination of a supportingbase with a pivot bracket ing pivotally connected to a -shaft supportingi member, a movable Contact yarm xedly secured to said first-mentionedinsulator, a fixed contact carried by a second insulator xedly mountedon said base, a second pivot bracket carried fby said basebetween saidinsulators, said shaft supporting member being pivotally mounted on saidsecond pivot bracket and having an arm extending radially for pivotalconnection'to said universal -joint assembly, said latter pivotalconnection passing dead-center between said connecting -rcd and thepivotfoi said shaft supporting member when said contacts are closed,said shaft supporting member vhaving a noncircular through bore vboundedon o-ne side by spaced lflanges, Ian independent shaft in said bore,threaded means for drawing said spaced flanges together to secure -saidshaft in said shaft supporting inember, and manual means for rotatingsaid shaft eccentrically with respect to the pivot of said shaftsupporting member to exert a maximum force in the initial opening of thecontacts and to'produce maximum movement thereafter in the openingfofsaid contacts, said contacts including a 'rigid tapered member andresilient spreadable plates for engaging said rigid member upon theopposite sides thereof, and auxiliary resilient means for'holding saidplates in full contact with said'rigidmember.

A4.`-In a switch operating mechanism, the combination of a supportingbase with a pivot bracket carried -by said baseand having upwardlyprojecting spaced pivot flanges, an .insulator carriedby a dependingmetal insulator support, said support being pivotally mounted betweensaid flanges and having an actuating -arm depending between Vsaidflanges, a'connecting rod pivotally connected to said actuating arm andhaving a threaded-end, a universal joint assembly having a 1bore `for`said threaded end, -said assembly being -pivotally `connected .to ashaft supporting member, a movable contact arm iixedlysecured tosaidrst-mentioned-in-sulatoiya, xed contact carried by a second insulatorfixedly mounted on -said base, a second pivot `bracket carried by lsaid-ba-se'between -said insulators, said shaft supporting member beingpivotally mountedfon said second pivotbr-acket and-havingan arm-extending radially for pivotal connection to said universal joint assembly,`said latter pivotal -connection `passing dead-center between said-connecting rod andthe pivot-of said yshaft supporting member whensaidcontacts-are closed, said shaft vsupporting member having anoncircular through Y'bore bounded on one side by spaced flanges, lan`independent shaft -in -said bore, threadedm-eans for drawing saidspaced Vflanges together to secure 4said shaft in -saidVshaft-supporting member, and'manual means forrota'ting said-Shafteccentrically with'respect to the-pivot of said shaft supporting memberto-exert a'maximum force inthe initialfopenin-g of the contacts and -toproduce maximum movement thereafter in the opening of said contacts, anda stop bracket "carried by said base, 'said tstop ibraczket having anaperture for j-passing said -connecting rod, and -a "resilientcompression spring lcarried by'the'connecting rod and `located-to engagesaid stop bracket to absorb the shock andreduce the opening Ymovement ofthe contacts at Ethe end jof themotionfofthe pivotally mountedinsulator.

LEONARD '-J. LINDE.

:REFERENCES 4,CITED 'The 'following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

UNITED :STATES PATENTS 'Number Name Date 11907,141 .'Bowie "May 2, 1933119325,59? Koppitz Nov. 14, 1933 1;949,`164 -Koppitz Feb. 27, 19342,0113503 Rudd Aug. 13, 1935 2,303,119 Froland Nov. 24, 1942 2,354,991Gussow Aug. l, 1944

